Detectives have released CCTV vision of the 2017 theft of the getaway vehicle used in the shooting of Mahmoud Hawi earlier this year, NSW Police say.
Just after midday on Thursday 15 February 2018, emergency services responded after 37-year-old, Mahmoud Hawi, was shot by an unknown man as he got into his car outside a gym on West Botany Street, Rockdale.
The man left the area in a grey Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG station wagon, which was later located on fire on Chandler Street, Rockdale.
Mr Hawi was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to St George Hospital in a critical condition, where he later died.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad established Strike Force Amirs to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
A forensic examination of the Mercedes Benz has revealed it had been stolen during a carjacking, which occurred nine months before the shooting.
About 2.45pm on Monday 19 May 2017, the owner of the Mercedez Benz was approached by an unknown man after parking in Fairfield East.
The man threatened the owner with a knife and stole the keys, before feeling the location in the car.
The carjacking was reported to local police, who despite extensive inquiries, did not locate the vehicle or identify those responsible for the theft.
Strike Force Amirs detectives have released CCTV vision in relation to the theft and are appealing for assistance to identify a person in the vision, who detectives believe may be able to assist with their inquiries.
The person depicted is described as male, aged in his early 20s, of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean appearance, between 170-175cm tall, with stubble on his face.
The Criminal Groups Squad’s Detective Chief Inspector Steve Patton said detectives are keen to speak with anyone with information that may assist the investigation.
"Strike Force Amirs is currently following strong lines of inquiry and we are determined to piece together all the events that led to the death of Mr Hawi," Det Ch Insp Patton said.
"Our inquiries into the Mercedes-Benz has revealed the vehicle was not sighted or involved in any other incidents between the time it was stolen and the day of the shooting.
"We know high-performance vehicles are often stolen for immediate use by criminal groups, but they can also be stored for sale at a later date.
"It is likely the vehicle would have changed hands – possibly multiple times – so we’d like to hear from anyone who may have seen the vehicle during that time, whether in a carpark, secure building, or even at a storage facility," Det Ch Insp Patton said.
Police are urging anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Amirs investigators to call Crime Stoppers.
